Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Lilioideae
Genus: Cardiocrinum
Species: C. giganteum
Binomial name: Cardiocrinum giganteum
Synonyms: Cardiocrinum mirabile, Lilium cordifolium subsp. giganteum, Lilium giganteum, Lilium mirabile
Common names: Himalayan Giant Lily, Yunnan lily
Cardiocrinum giganteum is the world’s largest species lily, growing up to 3.5 metres high. It is native to the Himalayas, China and Myanmar (Burma) and has been introduced as an ornamental plant in temperate regions of the world. It was categorised recently as invasive in New Zealand because it will form dense thickets that shade the ground stopping other species from germinating.
Cardiocrinum giganteum has a thick, hollow stem. The thick, large heart-shaped leaves are a shiny green colour.
In early summer large, tubular, pinkish-white tubular flowers form in clusters at the top of each stalk. A plant will take 7 years to bloom.
The flowers develop into fat green pods that are filled with winged seeds. Since this plant is spread by seeds only, it is advisable to cut these pods off the pant and dispose of them in rubbish that is buried in deep landfills. Do not give plants or seed to other gardeners.
Late January seed pods have formed.
The fat seed pods.
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Thanks to Wikipedia for text and Information: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
